Automatic pin cleaning and dust control apparatus



w. STALEY 3,064,974 AUTOMATIC PIN CLEANING AND DUST CONTROL APPARATUS Nov. 20, 1962 Filed Aug. 14, 1961 .1 d: Mv/

INVEN T 0R. Q9346 5/ United States Patent 3,064,974 AUTOMATIC PIN CLEANING AND DUST CONTROL APPARATUS William L. Staley, Lansing, Mich, assiguor to Staley Mauufacturing Company, Lansing, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Aug. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 131,295 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the cleaning of bowling pins and more particularly to a method and apparatus whereby bowling pins are automatically cleaned in situ without interruption of playing sequence. Positive dust control is Simultaneously .provided with respect to the bowling alley, associated automatic pinspotting machines, and other bowling equipment.

The goal of bowling alley operators is to keep their alleys, pins and automatic pinspotting machines as clean as possible Without incurring prohibitive cleaning and maintenance overhead costs. Success in accomplishing this goal differentiates the successful operator from the marginal operator.

The complex mechanical and electronic automatic pinspotting machines utilized in present day bowling alleys place a premium on dust control and cleanliness. Such equipment is sensitive and diihcult to repair and maintain. The presence of excessive dust and dirt in the bowling area, particularly during the actual operation of the machines, causes such equipment to malfunction more frequently. This requires the frequent use of skilled technicians to maintain such equipment in satisfactory running order. Hence, one of the high overhead costs involved in the management of bowling alleys has been the expensive maintenance and repair costs necessary to keep such equipment in proper running order.

Bowling operators have strived to control these maintenance and repair costs by trying to keep their bowling alley establishments as clean as possible through the use of personnel whose duties are solely to clean the bowling alleys and associated equipment as frequently as possible. However, such eiforts must necessarily be limited to the periods when the bowling alleys are closed. Thus, not only is the use of such cleaning personnel another added overhead expense, but their use does not prevent the ac-' cumulation and presence of dust and dirt during the periods that the automatic pinspotting equipment is in actual operation. The great force with which the bowling balls strike the pins and the subsequent tumbling of the pins in the pit area creates a high intensity of dust thereabout. This dust has a detrimental effect on the pinspotting machines that are in actual operation in the pit areas. When the cleaning of the bowling alleys finally does occur at the end of the day or week, the sensitive automatic pinspotting machines have already been subjected to the damaging effects of such dust and dirt.

Another heavy overhead expense has been the cleaniug and maintenance of bowling pins. The bowling pin surfaces accumulate dirt and grime readily and must be cleaned regularly to prevent deterioration and to avoid an unsightly appearance. Heretofore, bowling alley operators have had to purchase expensive bowling pin cleaning machines in order to properly clean their pins. In addition to the fact that added personnel must be hired to operate such machines, the use of such pin cleaning machines has several other specific disadvantages. The operation of such bowling pin cleaning machines requires the use of harsh chemicals therein which causes the peeling and cracking of the plastic coating on the pins. Not only are such chemicals costly, but the storage thereof on the premises is dangerous and tends to increase to increase insurance costs. Furthermore, wire brushes utilized in such machines cause additional damage to pins.

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Thus, although the pins can be cleaned by the use of such machines, repeated cleaning of pins therein causes a rapid deterioration of such pins. This deterioration makes it necessary to continually dip the pins in such expensive liquids as lacquer in an attempt to preserve them. This dipping eventually discolors the pins. Excessive discoloration makes it necessary to replace the pins if a bright and new appearance is to be maintained in the bowling alley.

The overhead costs of pin cleaning are increased further because a large inventory of pins must be maintained so as to permit the withdrawal of pins from play for cleaning without interrupting play "sequence.

On the other hand, if the pins are not cleaned frequently, the dirt and other foreign matter will be driven deep into the surface of the bowling pins and the same fast deterioration of the pins will occur.

It is thus seen'that present methods and equipment for the cleaning of pins are not satisfactory. The initial cost of the equipment is high and costly liquids must be utilized therein. In addition, large inventories of pins must be maintained and pin replacement costs are high due to the rapid deterioration thereof. Thus the cleaning of pins and the control of dust and dirt in bowling alleys has greatly increased the labor, material, and equipment overhead costs in the operation of bowling alleys. This has proved to be a heavy load in the mana'gme'ut of bowling alleys. In fact, in many cases, the bowling alley operators have had to cut down in these vital cleaning and dust control efforts in order to stay in business.

Another reason for promoting positive dust control and cleanliness in bowling alleys has been the desire to provide an attractive and clean place within which to bowl. It has been shown conclusively that a bowling alley esablishment which is clean generally does a good business. Bowlers can easily tell whether a bowling alley operator is properly cleaning his pins, automatic pin- "s'potting equipment and alleys. If proper cleanliness is not maintained throughout the entire establishment, bowling balls of patrons become dirty in use and the automatic pinspotting equipment does not run smoothly. The foregoing factors, in addition to the overall unsightly appearance of dirty alleys, contribute to a situation which generally results in a loss of patrons. This of course results in a decrease in revenues.

It is thus almost axiomatic that marginal bowling alley operators have establishments that are not clean. This is due in part because they cannot afford the cleanmg and dust control efforts and specialized equipment necessary to correct the situation. Lack of a method and apparatus for elfectively maintaining a clean bowling establishment without a significant corresponding increase in overhead costs forces such operators to remain in a marginal status. Further, the lack of a low cost method and apparatus to clean bowling pins during actual play and to provide effective dirt and dust control during play has also cut the size of profits that are enjoyed by successful operators. I g g A need has therefore existed in the bowling field for a low cost method and apparatus whereby bowling pins may be automatically cleaned during actual bowling play without the need for removing such pins from their use environment in the bowling alley. A further need has also existed for a method and apparatus whereby positive dirt, grime and dust control is automatically provided with respect to bowling alleys and associated automatic pinspotting machines. A still further need has existed for a method and apparatus whereby the cleaning of bowling pins and the provision of positive dust control becomes a continuous and automatic procedure which not only does not interrupt bowling play sequence, but which becomes an integral part of such play sequence.

A need has also existed for a method and apparatus for the automatic in situ cleaning of bowling pins and for the provision of automatic dust control in bowling alleys which is low in initial cost and which reduces pin cleaning and machine maintenance and repair overhead costs to a minimum. Finally, a need has existed for a method and apparatus for pin cleaning and dust control which operates automatically and thus avoids the incurrence of labor costs during actual operation thereof.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus whereby bowling pins may be automatically cleaned in situ during actual play sequence.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the provision of automatic positive dust and dirt control for bowling alleys and associated automatic pinspotting machines.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for automatic positive dirt and dust control within a bowling alley and which operates continually and effectively during actual play sequence.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus which eliminates the need for ancillary bowling pin cleaning machines which are expensive to purchase and which require the use of added personnel to operate.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for use in association with automatic pinspotting machines which promotes effective dust control in the use environment of such machines and thus cuts down the costs of maintaining and repairing those machines.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the provision of in situ cleaning of bowling pins and the provision of positive dust control which is low in initial cost, which is cheaply and easily installed, which requires little or no maintenance in use, and which operates automatically with only infrequent attention by bowling alley employees.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby smoother operation of automatic pinspotting machines is obtained with a resultant decrease in expensive down time.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby cleaning and maintenance overhead costs of a bowling alley operator are substantially reduced while at the same time positive dirt, grime and dust control is substantially enhanced.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby positive dust control is provided during the actual operation of the automatic pinspotting machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for the in situ cleaning of bowling pins and for the provision of positive dust control in a bowling alley which is easily and economically fabricated and which is particularly amendable to high volume mass production.

Other objects and advantages found in the construction of my invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification in connection with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the automatic bowling pin cleaning and dust control invention in its transverse use position at the end of a bowling alley and illustrating the suspension of the wiping or cleaning means in an interference path relative to bowling pins being moved on the pin return carpet member.

FIGURE 2 is a side schematic view of the end of a bowling alley illustrating the relative positioning of the automatic pinspotting machine components and the instant invention and showing the instant invention in its use position above the pin return carpet area.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic rear view of the instant invent in its use position illustrating the horizontally oriented swing bar transversely suspended across the end of a bowling alley and showing the wiping means mounted on the swing bar so as to hang downwardly therefrom into trailing contact with the pin return means and the tumbled pins being moved thereon.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the instant invention taken on line IV-IV of FIGURE 3 illustrating the abrading wiping contact that the transversely suspended wiper member makes with tumbled bowling pins being carried on the pin return means and showing the rotation of the wiper member about the swing support bar as a result of repeated contacts with the moving pins.

General Description In general, an automatic bowling pin cleaning and dust control apparatus is provided whereby bowling pins are cleaned in situ during actual play sequence and whereby positive dust and dirt control is maintained with respect to the bowling alley and associated automatic pinspotting machines. The method and apparatus of the instant invention operates during actual bowling play and eliminates the need for removing bowling pins from play in order to clean them. Further, the positive dust, dirt and grime control afiorded by the instant method and apparatus invention promotes smooth operation of the associated automatic pinspotting equipment. The invention thus reduces to a minimum such overhead costs as (1) the cleaning of bowling pins, (2) the maintenance of large inventories of pins to permit out of situ cleaning thereof without interruption of bowling play sequence, (3) general cleaning of the bowling alleys and (4) preventative maintenance and repair of automatic pinspotting equipment.

In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, suspension means are provided to suspend wiper means transversely across the end of a bowling alley in an interference path with the removal of tumbled pins therefrom. During actual bowling play, the tumbled pins repeatedly contact the wiper means so that dirt, dust and grime which accumulates on the pins is immediately wiped or abraded from the pins. The wiper means are replaceable and when they become saturated with dirt and dust, they may be replaced with new wiper elements.

In addition to providing positive dust control by maintaining the pins in a continually clean condition, the wiper means are in constant trailing contact with the surface of the pin return carpet means so as to keep the pin return carpet means clean also. Thus, the pins and pin return carpet means are kept clean and free from damaging and unsightly dirt, dust and grime. This in turn results in cleaner and smoother operation of the associated automatic pinspotting machines that are located in this area of normally high dust and dirt concentration. 1

This unusually effective method and apparatus for providing automatic positive dust control in bowling alleys results in a cleaner place in which to bowl. The bowling balls, bodies and clothing of the bowlers will not be dirtied due to the condition of the alleys and the reputation of the operator for maintaining clean bowling alleys will thus be established. This will increase the overall business of the bowling alley operator with a resultant increase in profits.

Specific Description In the preferred embodiment of the invention, hanger strap connectors 11 are provided for attachment to any stationary fixed support member 12 above the pin return carpet 13. Chain support members 14 are attached to the hanger strap connectors 11. It is within the scope of the invention to utilize other support means such as rope, wire and the like.

A swing bar member 15 is provided having snap clips 16 at the ends thereof for selective engagement with the chain support members 14. The swing bar 15 is fabricated from tubular aluminum stock. Each end 17 of the bar 15 is formed by pinching the ends of the bar 15 and bending them at a 90 angle, as shown in FIGURE 3. The angle of bend is not critical and any angle may be utilized depending on the particular installation. A hole is drilled through each end 17 of the swing bar so as to facilitate the mounting of the snap clips 16 thereon. If desired, the snap clips 16 may be mounted on the chain support members 14 for selective engagement with ends 17 of the swing bar 15. The swing bar 15 may also be modified to consist of a bar member which freely rotates about roller bearing mounted end portions. In this embodiment, the chain support members 14 would engage the end portions of the roller-bearing mounted swing bar. It is within the scope of the invention to utilize any type of support structure so as to provide a wiper means support member or swing bar 15. The important objective is to provide a support bar which may be transversely and detachably suspended across the end of a bowling alley, as shown generally in the drawings.

Wiper means 18 are suspended from the swing bar 15 and depend downwardly therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the wiper member 18 consists of a chemically treated wiping and polishing absorbent cloth of the type that is commercially available on the open market. The cloth wiper member 18 is sewn so as to have an elongate tubular configuration as shown generally in the drawings. The endless roll type of tubular configuration of the wiper means 18 permits the swing bar 15 to be passed therethrough. Hence, the wiper cloth 18, upon assembly, is freely and rotatably mounted upon the swing bar 15 and depends downwardly therefrom. In its use position, the wiper means 18 must be of sufiicient length to depend into an interference contact path with tumbled pins 19 being returned by the pin return carpet means 13. Other types of wiper means 18 may be utilized in the instant method and apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention. Strands of cloth or treated plastic may be suspended from the swing bar support 15 in place of the wiper cloth 18. A single sheet or panel of treated fiberglass or cloth may also be suspended from the swing bar 15 in place of the tubular cloth wiper member 18. It is inherent in the use of the foregoing alternate wiper means that the swing bar 15 be modified so as to lockably retain the sheets, panels or strands in a downwardly depending manner. The texture of the wiper member 18 and of the various alternates may be varied so as to enhance the wiping or abrading qualities thereof while permitting impregnation thereof with any desired polishing, cleaning, and dust control waxes or chemicals of the types well known in the art. However, if desired, any suitable wiper means may be utilized that are not chemically treated but which are merely dust absorbent in nature. It is important to note that replaceability of the wiper means 18 is necessary because the wiper means 18 lose their pin cleaning and dust control effectiveness when they become saturated with dirt, dust and grime.

The instant method invention makes it possible to automatically clean bowling pins in situ during actual play. In addition, positive dirt, grime and dust control is also provided in situ during actual play. The instant method includes the steps of suspending wiper means transversely above the pin return carpet area in an interference path with the return of tumbled pins thereon.

The instant method and apparatus is incorporated into the actual bowling play sequence and operation of the automatic pinspotting machines and associated equipment. Heretofore, the cleaning of bowling pins and control of dirt, grime and dust has been conducted during periods when the bowling alleys were not in operation and had already accumulated excessive dirt and dust. The methods of the prior art have not protected the sensitive automatic pinspotting equipment during the actual operation thereof in the bowling play sequence. Hence, the instant invention is basically preventive in natuf whereas prior methods of pin cleaning and dust control have merely been corrective in nature.

Operation in operation, the hanger strap connectors 11 are at t-acheo to a med and stationary support member 12 so as to suspend the swing bar 15 transversely above the pm return carpet member 13 which is located at the end of the bowling alley 20. The stationary support member 12 may vary depending on the type of automatic pinspotting machines being utilized. in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the support member 12 is the tube weldment of the support structure for the pin cushion bar 21.

The chain support members 14 are adjusted in length, depending again on the type of pinspotting equipment being used, so that the swing bar 15 will be horizontaily supported at any desired distance above the surface of pin return carpet member 13.

The wiper member 18 is then mounted on the swing bar 15 and the swing bar 15 is-attached to the chain support members by use of the clips 16, as shown in the drawings. In thisv position, the wiper member 18 hangs into a slight trailing contact with the surface of the pin return carpet member 13 in an .interference path with pins 19 being returned by the pin return carpet member 13.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the wiper member 18 is positioned to hang between the pin cushion bar 21 and the pin gathering apparatus 22, (shown schematically in phantom line) which is fed by the pin return carpet member 13. The pin return carpet member 13 may be of the belt conveyor type as shown in the drawings or may consist of a vibrating conveyor table type (not shown), depending again on the make of automatic pinspotting equipment being utilized. It is pointed out that the instant invention is equally as efiective regardless of the type of automatic pinspotting equipment with which it is used. In addition, the instant invention may be easily adapted for use and easy installation upon any type of such equipment.

In its suspended use position, the wiper member 18 makes repeated wiping and abrading contacts with tumbled pins 19 being returned thereunder. The coaction between the pins 19 and the wiper member 13 is specifically shown in FIGURES l, 3 and 4. It is these repeated wiping and abrading contacts with the wiper member 18 which keeps the pins 19' alway clean and polished. Further, the trailing contact that the wiper means 18 makes with pin return carpet member 13 also provides positive control of dirt, grime and dust found thereon.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawings, the tubular endless roll wiper member 18 rotates slowly about the swing support bar 15 in response to the repeated contacts with pins 19 passing thereunder. This relationship is shown schematically in FIGURE 4. The rotation of the wiper member 18 about the swing bar 15 provides for uniform use of the entire surface of the wiper member 18 instead of only the lower portion thereof.

As shown schematically in FIGURE 2, the instant invention is incorporated into the actual bowling sequence. The pin deck assembly 23 lifts any pins 19 that are left standing after the bowler has rolled his ball. The tumbled pins 19 are swept to the pin return carpet mem ber 13 by action of the pin sweep assembly 24. The pin deck assembly 23 and pin sweep assembly 24 are shown in phantom line inasmuch as they are not a part of the instant invention.

After continued and extensive use in the foregoing manner, the wiper member 18 becomes soiled and saturated with dust, dirt and grime. The soiled wiper member 18 is then replaced with a clean wiper means. The wiper member 18 is easily changed by unsnapping one end 17 of swing bar 15 from its respective chain support member 14. The soiled wiper member 13 is thus easily removed and the clean wiper means is substituted therefor. The end 17 of the swing bar 15 is then re-connected to the chain support member 14 and the apparatus is ready for use again.

It is thus seen that a unique method and apparatus is provided whereby bowling pins may be automatically cleaned in situ during actual play and which eliminates the need for ancillary expensive pin cleaning machines that require added personnel to operate.

In addition, as previously described, the instant invention provides for positive dust control in bowling alleys. The provision of positive dust control during; actual play sequence is unique and proves effective in promoting smooth operation of the associated automatic pinspotting machines. This further decreases overhead costs for the operator in that less maintenance is necessary and less down time of the machinery occurs.

After the operator of a bowling alley establishment has equipped all of his alleys with the instant invention, all that is required of him is to periodically change the wiper members 18. It would be possible for the bowling alley operator to arrange to have such wiper means supplied to him on a rental basis as is often done with towels and the like. In this manner, a clean supply of wiper means could always be available. Thus, the instant method and apparatus frees him and his employees from tedious, time-consuming, and expensive housekeeping and maintenance duties. The pins and alleys are cleaned automatically during the hours of actual bowling and these duties are no longer relegated to the periods when the alleys are closed. This is obviously a great boon to the small operator who does a lot of the work himself in order to save costs.

Various modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the principle thereof. Each of these modifications is to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly provide otherwise.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, 1 claim the following:

1. In an automatic pin cleaner and dust control device for in situ use in association with automatic pinspotting equipment, the combination comprising: a tumbled pin return carpet member located at one end of a bowling alley; a swing suspension bar provided above and transverse of said tumbled pin return carpet member; an endless roll tubular wiper means freely and rotatably suspended from said swing suspension bar into trailing contact with said tumbled pin return carpet member,

said endless roll tubular wiper means adapted to be in abrading wiping contact with tumbled pins passing thereunder.

2. In an automatic pin cleaner and dust control device for in situ use in association with the pin return conveyor of an automatic pinspotting machine, the combination comprising: a pin return conveyor; an elongate suspension swing support bar, said swing support bar provided with detachable support means at the ends thereof; clamp means provided on said detachable support means opposite said swing bar, said clamp means adapted to engage a support structure so as to non-rigidly suspend said swing bar above and transverse of said pin return conveyor; and an endless roll chemically treated cloth means having a textured surface freely and rotatably mounted upon said swing bar, said cloth means depending downwardly into trailing contact with the upper surface of said pin return conveyor in an interference path with pins carried on said conveyor.

3. In an automatic pin cleaner and dust control device for in situ use in association with automatic pinspotting equipment, the combination comprising: a pin return conveyor located at one end of a bowling alley; a swing suspension bar detachably provided above and transverse of said pin return conveyor; a chemically treated endless roll wiper fabric rotatably suspended on said swing suspension bar and depending downwardly therefrom into trailing contact with the upper surface of said pin return conveyor, said chemically treated endless roll Wiper fabric adapted to be in abrading wiping contact with pins carried on said return conveyor and to rotate slowly about said swing suspension bar in response to contact with said pins and said conveyor.

4. In an automatic pin cleaner and dust control device for in situ use in association with automatic pinspotting equipment, the combination comprising:

an endless roll tubular wiper member freely and rotatably suspended above and transversely of the tumbled pin return carpet area located at the pin end of a bowling alley, said endless roll tubular wiper member depending downwardly in abrading wiping contact with tumbled pins passing thereunder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 695,624 Reisky Mar. 18, 1902 1,001,239 Beazley Aug. 22, 1911 1,468,212 Redfield Sept. 18, 1923 1,476,113 Stebler Dec. 4, 1923 

